About Chef Rome

Personal Chef To The Stars

It all began for Jerome Brown at Gardener’s BBQ in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. As a teenager, he spent endless hours absorbing the wisdom shared by his mentors at this popular neighborhood restaurant. Jerome was a quick study in the kitchen and his confidence and skill set grew rapidly. He was a natural. Jerome had the ability to master any dish with the greatest of ease. All it took was a single lesson or a mere taste of a dish and he could recreate it to perfection. Those around him knew that Jerome had a special gift. After all, he dazzled his family with his very first creation at the tender age of seven – pancakes. It was the lessons learned at Gardener’s BBQ and those taught by his mother and other elders in his family that would prepare Jerome for a heralded career in the culinary as Chef Rome –“Personal Chef to the Stars”.

After high school, Chef Rome enlisted in the US Army where he proudly served his country and fellow soldiers in the kitchen. He traveled around the world perfecting his skills and expanding his repertoire to include international cuisine. After military service, Chef Rome returned to Rocky Mount. He began work at the upscale Benvenue Country Club and trained under renowned Executive Chef Larry Kennedy. Although he was not placed at Benvenue Country Club on a college externship like many of the aspiring Chef’s with whom he shared a kitchen, once again, Chef Rome excelled. He soon learned of a single culinary opening at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and decided to take a chance. The odds were four hundred to one, but Chef Rome was neither intimidated nor deterred. And it was with that ‘can do’ attitude that he shattered the odds by beating out the other three hundred ninety-nine applicants to win the position.

For more than twenty years, Chef Rome has been working to master his craft. But along this journey, he has always maintained a sincere desire to help educate and empower young professionals in the field. In 2000, he started Chef to the Stars, a chef placement service that, to date has successfully placed more than seventy-five top chefs in celebrity homes. His command of the culinary arts extends far beyond the magic he creates in the kitchen. In 2001, he was commissioned by former NBA star Isaac Austin to consult on the opening of his restaurant. Chef Rome single handedly created the menu, designed the floor plan and synthesized the operation, management and overall flow of the kitchen. So, it was no surprise when his services were soon in high demand.

With his popular ‘southern meets gourmet’ twist on cuisine, clients are amazed to learn that low calorie dishes can still be flavorful, filling and completely satisfying.

Chef Rome allowed me, for the first time in my entire career, to lose weight while inactive.

Shaquille O’Neal –Retired NBA Superstar

Chef Rome has shared his passion for cuisine with a variety of A+ list celebrities, dignitaries and elite professional athletes such as Colin Powell, Shaquille O’Neal, Lamman Rucker, Priscilla Presley, Star Jones, Nancy Kerrigan, Carl Gustaf (King of Sweden), Byron Cage, Mike Bibby, Cam Newton and more. He has earned an international reputation for being trustworthy and results driven. “Chef Rome allowed me, for the first time in my entire career, to lose weight while inactive” stated retired NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal.

Chef Rome has been a featured celebrity Chef for two consecutive years in 2010 and 2011 at the prestigious Epcot International Food & Wine Festival with the likes of Cat Cora, Robert Irvine and Rock Harper where his dishes were said to be fan favorites by event staff. He has also been featured at the Taste of Chicago, the world’s largest outdoor food festival. Chef Rome’s charisma and culinary talents have caught the eyes of television casting directors and talent producers. In 2011, Chef Rome was a feature in Season One of the Food Network’s new reality show “Extreme Chef.” That same year, he was selected to appear in the US Army series “I’ve Got Skills” that aired on ESPN.

Whether he is offering guidance to a client struggling with weight issues, an athlete desiring to gain muscle or a novice who simply wants to be educated on healthy food choices and preparation — Chef Rome delivers tailored programs with a kilowatt smile. With his popular ‘southern meets gourmet’ twist on cuisine, clients are amazed to learn that low calorie dishes can still be flavorful, filling and completely satisfying. More important, he is on a mission to use food as a tool to bring families back to the dining table to fellowship, reconnect and create lifelong memories.

He is on a mission to use food as a tool to bring families back to the dining table. . .

Chef Rome got me back on track, his gourmet food & diet allowed me to lose 30 pounds. He is the very best in the game

Byron Cage –Grammy Nominated Gospel Artist

Chef Rome is often called upon to share his expertise and participate in the national dialogue on popular health and lifestyle hot topics ranging from energy boosting foods, cooking techniques to how to set a table. He has numerous media placements on a variety of media outlets such as The Gospel Music Channel, ABC, Best of You Today Magazine, Fox, NBC, CBS and more. Chef Rome was the healthy chef correspondent for The Good Life Radio, a former nationally syndicated show. His “Cooking With Rome” radio segment was also heard weekly on the top rated “Donnie McClurkin” syndicated radio show.

In addition, Chef Rome was a founding member of Basil Magazine, an on-line food, wine and lifestyle magazine where he answered questions and shared a variety of tips with readers in the column “Ask Chef Rome.” Launched in September 2009, the publication targets food and wine professionals and patrons with discriminate tastes. It has been a successful stepping stone for minority chefs and is considered by insiders to be a valuable networking and educational resource worldwide. Through its partnership with the World Food Programme, the frontline agency of the United Nations, Basil Magazine is helping fight the global battle against hunger.

A versatile talent, Chef Rome continues to develop new and exciting multimedia projects and consumer products. He is the mastermind behind Rome Couture, a line of custom Chef’s apparel, and he will also be developing a collection of Chef’s footwear, cookware and knives. Chef Rome is working to add author to his already impressive list of accomplishments with the release of his cookbook. The cookbook, which is in production, will be compilation of family recipes, client favorites and low calorie healthy delights.

All of Chef Rome’s creative projects promise to be unique and stylish while showcasing his vibrant personality, sense of humor and exceptional culinary flare.